Which year Suzuki LT250R was the best? I know this is loaded question, but was just wondering if there was a year or years that had improvements or changes that made them better. Thanks.

 

in '87 they added the powervalve, put on an external reed cage, changed front suspension & increased travel, & changed the swingarms to the 'box' style chain adjustment.
in '88 they redesigned the porting & reed cage.
in '91 they redesigned the rear suspension to a more conventional style, similar to current sport quads.

more motor mods are available for the '88-92, some say the '87 reed cage & porting is the best for building a hot rod motor.
if your building a TT or flat track bike, the 88-90 is probly the ride of choice b/c they don't offer a lowering kit for the rear of the '91-92... on those you have to change shocks i think.
also, elka is supposed to have a 12" rear long travel shock for the '85-90

b/c of the rear suspenders many like the '91-92 most... i do.

i have a '91 that's now for sale, my brother has a '90, and we have two friends w/ '86 models i also have a '91 with '87 motor i'm about to put together.

 

Thanks for the info dual-sporter. I have been looking at a couple of 86's and one 91. If I may ask could you tell me about the one you have for sale? I am looking to buy one soon and would be interested. Thanks.

 

i sent you a PM, they don't like it if we advertise on these boards. (other than in the paid classified section.)

 

Ok kewl, sorry about that. Thanks for letting me know the boundries.

 

um like aren't we supposed to tell each other about our bikes. I like to know brands of items that people use. That was no advertising???
Any way, 1992 is the last year and the best year.

 

you have a point there... i just won't list the price.

the '91 ... i've put a couple posts on other boards w/ free classifieds. its on consignment at graves motorsports in renton.
it's one of the cleanest and best kept LT's you will find anywhere.

Motor: stock porting, stock head CC, Hot Rod, new top & bottom w/ ~10 hrs, bored 0.020, weisco piston. it runs pump gas (super) mixed at 40:1, i used maxima super M, and sometimes mobil MX2T full synthetic. has polished head, water pump housing & stator cover.
Intake: K&N filter w/ outerwears, stock carb, Boyesen Rad valve.
Exhaust: FMF gold series pipe, FMF turbine core silencer & spark arrestor.
Suspension: stock, shockwears on all shocks
Plastic is all stock & uncut, but does have scuffs & scratches, still has factory decals.
Frame is in good condition, no cracks, but has some minor dents in some tubes frome use, nothing major
other mods: answer steel bars, PRM swingarm skidplate, Rad Mfg. axle carrier w/ tapered bearings, Armadillo XC bumper, Kenda Bear claw 22" rear rires. stock rear tires not on wheels.

also, i'm adding some new kenda gecko sand paddles on douglas .125 wheels, a climer service manual & maybe some other stuff to sweeten the deal.

 

the 91/87 project is interesting...
i bought it titled as a '87 & a complete basket case. when i went to look at it, i knew it was no '87. everything on it says it's a '91-92(suspension, etc.), but the title & frame #'s match. it was missing the plastic, airbox and rear shock, and the frame had been welded hideously( the one big drawback on the chassis). the whole thing had been painted a flat black/brown color too.

it just so happens, I have a '87 motor sitting on a shelf needing a bottom end rebuild.... it isn't perfect, the left case has chain damage. but it completes 'the package' that some say is so sweet. the motor is not ported, and it wil have the stock carb.

i'm putting on all new wheel & axle bearings & seals, brake pads, sprockets & chain(non O-ring), airbox & filter, and swingarm chain buffer. used parts: completely rebuilt '87 motor, LT500 steering shaft(moves the bars forward about 1/2"), almost new rear shock, and some race cut plastic i'm buying from my brother... it isn't going to be pretty, but it should hold together & go. i'm also going to rebuild the carburator & petcock.

since it has a set of 22x12x9 mudders on the back( one wheel has a dent), i'll leave those on, and i'm throwing in a pair of used 9" ITP rear wheels( i don't have any tires to fit them... yet). other mods it has: twist throttle, FMF pipe (has a couple dents), FMF powercore silencer, AC alloy grab bar, & e-brake block-off.
i may have some other stuff to throw in with it, but i'm not sure what yet... i'm just starting on the project this week.

 

That sounds like one heck of a project. The only thing that makes me wonder is the condition of the frame. Definetly sounds like you have your hands full with that one, lol. Good luck with it and let me know when its done how it all came out.